After completing my Bachelor degree (B.Sc) in Biotechnology, I joined the Master Program in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, both at the University of Zaragoza (Spain). These studies provided me with a deeper knowledge of molecular mechanisms in cellular biology and genetics as well as a better understanding of the immune system. During this period i joined the laboratory of Dr. Sergio Comincini, Professor in Neurogenetics and Neuropathology at the University of Pavia (Italy). There i gained experience in Photodynamic Therapy and cell culture techniques. Afterwards, I conducted my Master’s thesis in the laboratory of Pr. Julián Pardo (CIBA, Zaragoza). There i worked on a project which consisted on developing an immunotherapy based on natural killer cells against neuroblastoma. My fascination for biomedical research has led me to do several stays in different laboratories. At the Biomedical Genetics Laboratory (LAGENBIO, University of Zaragoza) i collaborated in a study on the immune properties of allogenic equine mesenchymal stem cells. Later on I also did a voluntary internship at the Medical Epigenetics laboratory of Pr. Dr. Marc Timmers (DKTK – University of Freiburg) where i optimised a procedure to differentiate mouse embryonic stem cells into glutamatergic neurons. Finally, in July 2024 i joined the team of Dr. Klaus Warnatz as his new PhD student to further investigate the profound immunodeficiency originating due to mutations in the IKBKB gene.

My first laboratory experience was working at the Biomedical Genetics Laboratory. There i was able to expand and improve my laboratory skills: primary cell culture and co-culture techniques, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry techniques and microsatellite analysis. During my Bachelor’s thesis at the laboratory of Dr. Sergio Comincini i gained experience in molecular techniques such as proteins and exosomes isolation as well as analytical methods such as Western blot or cytofluorimetric analyses. My internship at Pr. Dr. Marc Timmers’ laboratory and my Master’s thesis at Pr. Julián Pardo’s laboratory allowed me to broaden my lab experience mainly through immunofluorescence microscopy, primary cell culture and Western blots. In addition, I also carried out transfection and cloning techniques to establish a new cell line used for the development of a new immunotherapy based on the blockade of a specific oncogene in tumour cell lines.